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mschlat's review
4.0
I'm familiar with Delisle's work in two very different genres: his travelogues (e.g., the excellent [b:Jerusalem: Chronicles from the Holy City|13104040|Jerusalem Chronicles from the Holy City|Guy Delisle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347396940s/13104040.jpg|18201569]) and his humor writing (through the bad parenting series). This is a completely different type of work.
Delisle is telling the story of Christopher André, an NGO worker taken hostage in Chechnya in 1997. And this is André's story --- every panel is told from his perspective. There's little to no context given about the work he was doing, why his captors did what they did, or what his NGO did to try and get him back. Much of the book (and almost all of the beginning of the book) is devoted to documenting André lying in a room, chained to an object. There are a few flights of fancy and several passages detailing André's mental recreations of historical military battles (an obvious pastime of his), but other than that, Delisle is spending all of the pages on small dark oppressive spaces.
When I started the work, I was unsure how much I liked it, partly due to the somewhat monotonous nature described above. But (without spoiling it) I will say that the payoff is worth it. It's not my favorite Delisle work and its sparseness can be distancing, but I can see returning to this work for a reread many times.
Delisle is telling the story of Christopher André, an NGO worker taken hostage in Chechnya in 1997. And this is André's story --- every panel is told from his perspective. There's little to no context given about the work he was doing, why his captors did what they did, or what his NGO did to try and get him back. Much of the book (and almost all of the beginning of the book) is devoted to documenting André lying in a room, chained to an object. There are a few flights of fancy and several passages detailing André's mental recreations of historical military battles (an obvious pastime of his), but other than that, Delisle is spending all of the pages on small dark oppressive spaces.
When I started the work, I was unsure how much I liked it, partly due to the somewhat monotonous nature described above. But (without spoiling it) I will say that the payoff is worth it. It's not my favorite Delisle work and its sparseness can be distancing, but I can see returning to this work for a reread many times.
thisotherbookaccount's review
4.0
Is it possible to label a book as being 'mostly boring' and still score a four- or five-star rating? In the case of Guy Delisle's latest work, Hostage, that may very well be the case.
You have to admit: reading a book that's mostly about a man who is chained to a corner of a room is not exactly the most exciting thing in the world. The protagonist, who is a real-life humanitarian worker called Christophe Andre, does not experience much variety in routines during his four-month captivity, either, which further nudges the book into the 'mostly boring' rating.
But why does it have four stars by my books?
Sometimes, boredom IS the point. This is the true story of how Andre was kidnapped and abducted for four months in 1997, without any explanation given to him throughout his captivity. About 99.9% of his time follows the same exact routine: meals are served by one of three men; he gets one bathroom break; his handcuff is removed for 15 minutes every day; he is left alone in the room without any information given. That was his life for four straight months.
But what Delisle, the author and artist, achieves here is to bring us into that room with Andre. Even though I finished the book in a day, I am able to sympathise and empathise with his predicament. Through your boredom as a reader, you can almost imagine what it must have been like for him, trapped in an unknown room in an unknown village for days on end. And, like Andre, you become fixated with every little shift in the daily routines. Maybe someone leaves the handcuffs off for longer than usual, or if he is woken up in the middle of the night and ushered into a car for no apparent reason. You get excited just like Andre, and you become disappointed just like Andre. If a book can make you feel like that, then, I feel, it is a book worth reading.
Of course, it is not a spoiler to say that Andre eventually makes his way out of his prison. I found myself rooting for him, wanting him to succeed and not get captured again. I think, to be able to relate to a character on the page the way I did for Andre, is the true triumph of this book. A highly recommended read.
You have to admit: reading a book that's mostly about a man who is chained to a corner of a room is not exactly the most exciting thing in the world. The protagonist, who is a real-life humanitarian worker called Christophe Andre, does not experience much variety in routines during his four-month captivity, either, which further nudges the book into the 'mostly boring' rating.
But why does it have four stars by my books?
Sometimes, boredom IS the point. This is the true story of how Andre was kidnapped and abducted for four months in 1997, without any explanation given to him throughout his captivity. About 99.9% of his time follows the same exact routine: meals are served by one of three men; he gets one bathroom break; his handcuff is removed for 15 minutes every day; he is left alone in the room without any information given. That was his life for four straight months.
But what Delisle, the author and artist, achieves here is to bring us into that room with Andre. Even though I finished the book in a day, I am able to sympathise and empathise with his predicament. Through your boredom as a reader, you can almost imagine what it must have been like for him, trapped in an unknown room in an unknown village for days on end. And, like Andre, you become fixated with every little shift in the daily routines. Maybe someone leaves the handcuffs off for longer than usual, or if he is woken up in the middle of the night and ushered into a car for no apparent reason. You get excited just like Andre, and you become disappointed just like Andre. If a book can make you feel like that, then, I feel, it is a book worth reading.
Of course, it is not a spoiler to say that Andre eventually makes his way out of his prison. I found myself rooting for him, wanting him to succeed and not get captured again. I think, to be able to relate to a character on the page the way I did for Andre, is the true triumph of this book. A highly recommended read.
bet27's review
4.0
Wow. I had no idea a simply drawn graphic novel could be so suspenseful. Journeying through Christophe's hostage experience is literally weighty as you hold this 400+ page book and know that his hope of only been held a few days is unlikely as he ticks them off and you still hold so many pages yet unread. Through the simple drawings and repeated images you feel the emptiness and monotony alongside him. While his small wins feel like triumphs--and give you cause to consider your appreciation of these "minor things".
staywithriley_'s review
4.0
What a simple yet painful graphic novel!! Love how the author could describe the story splendidly that I’ve read it putting myself in Christophe’s place and how he filled in his thoughts with historical wars he’ve read and liked during his hostage period. Ngl, I felt moved by this true story. This book is genuinely wonderful. I’m gonna read “Burma Chronicles“ as my next read on his work, which is about my country!
rawanmanjal's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.75
This was a rollercoaster of a book. I haven't picked up a graphic novel that has made me so emotionally invested. At points, it dragged on, but in an artful and conscious way-- we’re meant to feel like this is endless.
I have to say that this is one of the most effective graphic novels I've ever read. At the same time, I can’t say I enjoyed it. I don’t think I'm meant to be enjoying it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Confinement, and Trafficking
demylore's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
No Rate for Memories.
I almost cried with the last pages..relief and fear between those pages after a whole journey of staying in the dark . The art style is simple and beautiful to give the vibe .
I almost cried with the last pages..relief and fear between those pages after a whole journey of staying in the dark . The art style is simple and beautiful to give the vibe .
jemmania's review
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
4.5
A detailed graphic depiction of the monotony, uncertainty, & anguish of a kidnapped victim. Drawn in monochromatic & melancholy blue, the tragic tale of three months caged like an animal, will leave you with a deep sense of appreciation for the unsung freedoms you enjoy everyday.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping